Rio de Janiero - 2014 Fifa World Cup Thread

[Nachos Jones]

First topic message reminder :

Pretty much the same as you Nachos but I'll come out of the cellar and pick Belgium over USA.

Belgium have not impressed me at all, lack cohesion. I think that under Klinsmann, the USA are tactically superior and will pick Belgium on a counter attack.

[kingraf]

Maybe Ligue 1 isn't the pile I've always been told it is

[Duty281]

Haha, I believe you, Mysti!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I'm sorry, but Van Persie's isnt a goal of superior technique.

[mystiroakey]

I just cant wait to see what this columbian team is really made of- same goes for france i suppose.

both seriously impressing beyond expectation

[Fernando]

I'm sorry, but Van Persie's isnt a goal of superior technique.

Surprisingly i agree, I don't see how throwing yourself at a ball is good technique. If you aren't fat anyone could score that at a local park   

[mystiroakey]

Maybe Ligue 1 isn't the pile I've always been told it is

Well if you look at cavani you could look at it the other way- highly rated PSG player..

One thing is for sure- Rodriguez looks the much better talent on the international stage.

I just hope Chelsea dont buy Cavani

[mystiroakey]

I'm sorry, but Van Persie's isnt a goal of superior technique.

Surprisingly i agree, I don't see how throwing yourself at a ball is good technique. If you aren't fat anyone could score that at a local park   

I thought you lot were talking about his shot that hit the bar. but anyway- the dive was a lovely goal and a very different one, but Rodriguez pips it

[Duty281]

Well done Colombia, and a bigger well done to James Rodriguez.

The winners looked so assured and so comfortable that you never doubted them. What a quarterfinal that will be against Brazil.

Uruguay never really turned up, and will be harbouring a large amount of regret.

Good riddance, I say. Football has defeated anti-football.

And a special well done to Ladbrokes; their odds of 16/1 for Rodriguez to score next and Colombia to win 2-0 that were offered at half-time encouraged me to part with a crisp £20 note. I now have seventeen crisp £20 notes!

Well done Colombia.

[Lowlandbrit]

If I was Brazil, I really wouldn't fancy playing this Colombia team. I could see the crowd turning on them.

[mystiroakey]

great beat duty..

 had 2-1 at the start of the game- but i have the triple on the draw (chile/brazil), colombia win and holland win..

so first two in!

[Guest]

I just hope Chelsea dont buy Cavani

Diego Costa

Cavani has just shown why he plays back up to Suarez on the international stage & back up to Ibrahimovic on the domestic stage. Woeful & overrated.

[lorus59]

The Ghana team has the nickname; the Black Stars. Imagine the uproar if Spain's or Croatia's nicknames were the White Stars.

[Nachos Jones]

Although I think that Webb had a decent match last night, I cant help but feel that he was under instructions not to card Neymar as it would mean he would miss Brazil's next match and cause an outrage. Neymar and Fernandinho seemed to be able to do anything they wanted without reprisals and that really upset me.

That and the swooning over Brazil by the BBC's pundits, when in all honesty they were poor, really put me off the match.

[whocares]

I just hope Chelsea dont buy Cavani

Diego Costa

Cavani has just shown why he plays back up to Suarez on the international stage & back up to Ibrahimovic on the domestic stage. Woeful & overrated.

Cavani was not Suarez back-up, that was Forlan.
To be honest Cavani had to compensate for his rather poor team mates. Defending quite a lot, taking the ball in the midfield and trying to bring momentum to their attack. It's not like that old donkey of Furlan was going to help him!

[The Special Juan]

The Ghana team has the nickname; the Black Stars. Imagine the uproar if Spain's or Croatia's nicknames were the White Stars.

Is it not because of the black star on their flag?

[kingraf]

Lorus - Madrid have managed to move on with the nickname The Whites for a century. And their nickname was given, they didn't pick it out. It was originally more of a backhanded compliment to their absolute domination of African football during the 60s

[owen10ozzy]

Netherlands 3-1 Mexico (fancy Holland to show themselves now and put out statement)
Costa Rica 2-0 Greece

[Nachos Jones]

I also fancy Holland to win owen but only after extra time. Spain were caught on the hop and Holland have not looked all that dominant in reality. I would say 2-1 Holland after extra time with a Holland receiving a penalty due to a fantastic piece of individual diving brilliance from Robben

Costa Rica should crush Greece but then Greece are hard to beat so I would say 2-0 as well.

[SecretFly]

Netherlands 3-1 Mexico (fancy Holland to show themselves now and put out statement)
Costa Rica 2-0 Greece

I think that's kinda what Holland have being doing since they landed in Brazil?

[Dolphin Ziggler]

If the statement was "we have two good players" then yes, they've made a statement.

I will be truly frustrated if they win this World Cup

[kingraf]

Sneijder is a fantastic player as well - and that Memphis guy isn't too bad.

No different from Colombia, then, who basically have Rodriguez and Cuadrado. Argentina and Germany are probably the only stacked teams in this world

[Nachos Jones]

If the statement was "we have two good players" then yes, they've made a statement.

I will be truly frustrated if they win this World Cup

I assume you are referring to Robben and van Persie?

I will raise you Schneijder, Indi, Depay and Blind. They are all more than decent, may not play in the EPL so you may not know much about them but they are all very good players. Depay is even being referred to as the next Ronaldo...

[Kurt N. Jurqa]

Dolphin is just bitter because his hipster club are out.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Don't tempt me!

Thanks Nachos for trying to patronise me, but just cos I don't rate players doesn't mean I don't know them. Depay, who has not even played a great amount in this World Cup, can be the new Maradona for all I care, he currently isn't even doing enough to make the starting line up.

Sneijder is a shadow of the player he was, Indi and Blind are playing in a system that has been made to completely protect the fact they aren't that good defensively.

This Dutch team is playing a depressing, Mourinho like formula. 7 hard working players, 5 of whom are defenders and De Jong may as well be for all his ambition on the pitch, where they give the ball to Robben or Van Persie as quick as they can.

I fear how the English fans would have reacted had Woy put out 5 at the back and put Henderson and Milner in front of them, playing a game majorly based on the other team making mistakes. They didn't deserve to beat Australia and gave up so much of the ball against Chile. In a World Cup full of ambition it would make me frustrated to see the Dutch win.

Van Gaal has the "new Ronaldo" on his hands and uses him as a bench player so that he can play 3 centre backs and Nigel De Jong too.

Its not even so much that I think their players outside of the main two are bad, but the Dutch system is trying to say that. Its the statement the team makes. It isn't a Dutch side, in the same way this Brazil team is a Brazilian side. Not how they are fabled to be anyway. So, no, I don't want them to win the World Cup in this guise, though I would happily see Robben win it for he is incredible and deserves to finally get the recognition his talent deserves.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

And, FWIW, the Dutch being over evens today hugely surprises me as I think they'll pick off Mexico

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Sneijder is a fantastic player as well - and that Memphis guy isn't too bad.

No different from Colombia, then, who basically have Rodriguez and Cuadrado. Argentina  and Germany are probably the only stacked teams in this world

If you are watching Columbia and thinking a) they have two good players and b) they are comparable in style to this year's Dutch side then you're taking too much of whatever it is the doc gave you.

[Nachos Jones]

I was not trying to patronise you Dolphin, I was just unsure if you knew of the players I had mentioned. My apologies if you felt I was being patronising. Its just that many people make swift comments on players that they know nothing about and have only seen them recently or on the international stage.

Sneijder is still very much a good player, he is not the player he was but he is none the less still a very good player.

I disagree that the Dutch are playing depressing football. Under van Gaal, they are taking each team as they come and adjusting their tactics to match.

Depay is an electric sub and he is being used as such due to the temperatures in Brazil. His fresh legs and speed make him the ideal sub to be used in these situations. Its all about the team and not the individuals which is what van Gaal is about. You will see these tactics working to great effect when he comes to Manchester United.

There is a unity in this Dutch side not seen for a very long time and it is a very young squad who are learning every game.

Ik geloof in Nederland

[Ent]

I don't know what you want from holland, to set up very attacking and go out in the group stages?

Lvg has some seriously limited players to goose from and has set the team up to maximise the chances of winning- it is very sensible.

If you have superstars who can win you games set up a system that let's you do that- don't risk it all by lining up in some sort of philosophical manner.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

The Dutch picking De jong over Leroy is a disgrace

Leroy scores a goal every 15 mins this tournament!

And on a serious note I agree with Dolph, the Dutch aren't great and tbf LVG is doing a good job maximising what they have

[kingraf]

a) that's not what I said, but you can't seriously put out that Holland have only two good players, and then declare Colombia have more. Leave it out.

b) don't see where I made any style comparisons. Seems you're reading things which aren't there, in which case whatever your doctor handed you seems sufficient

[kingraf]

Olly your credibility as a pundit hit a knock when you predicted Nodge would get 49pts and finish top half, and it pretty much died when the "worst Dutch side in living memory" thrashed Spain 5-1.

[mystiroakey]

Wow.

Holland are a top side.. Can't believe what I am reading..

Massive price on them to the win today at evens. I am all over it. And have it on a triple. Mexico really have little to worry them.

[mystiroakey]

I just hope Chelsea dont buy Cavani

Diego Costa

Cavani has just shown why he plays back up to Suarez on the international stage & back up to Ibrahimovic on the domestic stage. Woeful & overrated.

Cavani was not Suarez back-up, that was Forlan.
To be honest Cavani had to compensate for his rather poor team mates. Defending quite a lot, taking the ball in the midfield and trying to bring momentum to their attack. It's not like that old donkey of Furlan was going to help him!

yes i agree with that assesment that cavani does fill holes when his team is lacking- he is very similar to rooney in that regard and why i think mourinho might go for him as a player- as he loves his attackers to track back and help out defend.

But i still dont think he is good enough for chelsea, i want to see costa there.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

We've all made predictions that haven't worked out raf!

I don't think outside of RVP/Robben they have any top quality players, Sneijder is a shadow of his former self, De Jong is alright, the CB's are young and good, but they're far away from being top class and Blind seems to be being built up as great based off one pass.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Mexicans cause them issues today, I see it going to extra time and then its anyone's game.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

The system they play is built around them having two players that are any good. They are saying it with their system too. They have other decent players, but Van Gaal hasn't the balls or inclination to play them.

Ent, I don't expect them to, but I don't have to enjoy it or like them for it.

I find their system and style this tournament depressing. I would prefer teams of the French, German or even Argentinean ilk to win.

Apologies, King, it wasn't altogether clear. And apologies Nachos, my bad on the tone!

It's Kurt's fault, he's the villain of the piece.

[mystiroakey]

Up the Orange!

[Nachos Jones]

I don't think that anyone is saying that Nederland are a great team, I simply think that they have more than two decent players.

Olly's comment about Blind living off one pass highlights my point that people make assumptions based only on what they see at a major tournament. Blind has been one of the top players for Ajax this season and has more than deserved his place in the side. His father (an assistant coach) was a very similar type of player and his career wasn't to bad.

I honestly expect Nederland to struggle to beat Mexico today. I expect extra time with hopefully Nederland getting the winner.

[westisbest]

If the statement was "we have two good players" then yes, they've made a statement.

I will be truly frustrated if they win this World Cup

Whereas I will will be delighted if the Dutch won.

C'mon Holland.

[mystiroakey]

I think it will be at least a comfortable 2 goal win tbh.

I cant see past that. and i will be shocked if its even a close game

[Nachos Jones]

I hope so mystiroakey, here in Hengelo its all orange.

[mystiroakey]

for some reason the Concaef teams(that we usually laugh at and say get a free pass to the final) have shcoked us playing some half decent football.

I mean costa rica topping the group with 3 previous winners and at the time all 3 top 10 fifa ranked teams was a 100/1 shot minimum.

Maybe mexico , costa rica and the USA could keep going- but at some point individual class has to come though- Being a good team and playing as a unit etc can only get you so far.

I would back my palace to beat all those concaef teams- and i am not joking either.. so if holland and belgium dont win- we are talking about seriously disjointed teams

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I don't think that anyone is saying that Nederland are a great team, I simply think that they have more than two decent players.

Olly's comment about Blind living off one pass highlights my point that people make assumptions based only on what they see at a major tournament. Blind has been one of the top players for Ajax this season and has more than deserved his place in the side. His father (an assistant coach) was a very similar type of player and his career wasn't to bad.

I honestly expect Nederland to struggle to beat Mexico today. I expect extra time with hopefully Nederland getting the winner.

Its not so much that they don't have good players, I just haven't enjoyed the fear they are set out with. Maybe, now they have got past Spain and Chile, they will open up a tad. Its unfair of me, really, to expect the Dutch to play like their history would suggest, more in a haze of principle rather than reality, they should play, but I cling to those kind of ideologies. I wouldn't be supporting Brazil at all if they weren't hosts, they aren't the side their heritage demands either, but the tournament will be worse off without them.

At the moment they remind me a bit of Chelsea, and a bit like what Allardyce would love to play like if we could bring it better forwards. Solid base then let the magicians do the tricks. At least Brazil, for all their faults, have Alves and Marcelo bombing on, Luiz has adventure, the midfield has it in them too. Their problem is they have Fred and Hulk in their side. Oh, if only Pato hadn't get collared into the glamour of money and women, as well as his injuries.

[Duty281]

Wow.

Holland are a top side.. Can't believe what I am reading..

Massive price on them to the win today at evens. I am all over it. And have it on a triple. Mexico really have little to worry them.

I'm scratching my head over the price as well. Mexico's only chance is if there keeper has another blinding game, like he did against Brazil..a rather slim prospect of him pulling that off again!

Oh well, I won't ask questions - double your money, double your fun!

[Nachos Jones]

Well things are warming up here in Holland, the whole place has turned orange and although its been raining today, there is a small of BBQ in the air and I suspect a rather large amount of beer has already been consumed. Its going to get loud within the hour.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Quite fancy Mexico to cause a few issues today, I'm gonna go on a limb and say we'll be seeing tortillas and sombreros in the quarters rather than clogs and weed

[mystiroakey]

More like coke and tequilla these days olly

[Duty281]

Netherlands to win 2-0, and be rather comfortable against a Mexican side looking to soak up the pressure.

Clogs, weed, and canals for the win!

[kingraf]

Evens for Netherlands seems like you're printing money... Not gonna bet today, being on holiday, I can't afford to splurge anymore... but maybe bookies have heard rumblings of disagreements in the Dutch camp, or key players having niggles?

[Nachos Jones]

I am going to stick by my first prediction. 2-1 Nederland after extra time. Not an easy game this.

[kingraf]

It's weird how "They've come to play", and "They aren't here to play around" means the same thing in sports.

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